Speaking at the inquest on Tuesday this week, Wendy McGlone said her husband, who she lived with in Addlestone, had not been himself since October last year and had developed depression.

“He got very down because of the threat of redundancy,” she said. “He got obsessed with his health and was backwards and forwards to hospital. He thought he was ill with bladder cancer but they found nothing wrong with him.” Mrs McGlone said despite being told he would keep his job, the depression continued.

“He just got so much worse. He wouldn’t eat and kept saying he was sorry,” she said.

After preparing a meal for them both, Mrs McGlone said her husband said he was going to work but did not come back.

She said she thought her husband had made a split second decision. “I think he suddenly just thought, ‘this is the answer’,” she added.

The court heard Mr McGlone’s daughter-in-law Katherine Craigie saw him a few days before.

She said: “He seemed terrible. He was suicidal. He was a nervous wreck. He got worse after he found out his job was safe.”

The inquest heard firefighters were called out to the Veolia Water car park in The Causeway, Egham Hythe, at around 3.20pm on Sunday January 9 this year.

Fire investigator for Surrey Fire and Rescue Service Chris Webb said a security guard from the neighbouring building noticed the smoke and flames from the car and called the brigade.

He added there was evidence in the car of a can that had been carrying flammable liquid.

Coroner Michael Burgess said he was satisfied that the remains found in the car were those of Mr McGlone. He said despite the support Mr McGlone received from his wife and other members of his family, he appeared increasingly depressed.

He added: “The cause of death was smoke inhalation.

“At the time of his death he was suffering from depression and he took his own life.” He extended his condolences to Mr McGlone’s family.